Every Tip You Need to Get a Festive Red Lip Like Christie Brinkley, Janelle Monáe, Kelsea Ballerini and More

It’s the most glamorous time of the year, and nothing gets us more in the holiday spirit than a red lip. 

The look gives “let’s party” vibes the minute you swipe it on. But let’s face it, red lipstick can also be quite high maintenance. (It transfers, it migrates, it fades, we know.) That’s where these makeup artists come in. 

Kelsey Deenihan Fisher, Valeria Ferreira, Keita Moore, Tim Quinn and Mary Wiles, create looks for Hollywood’s A-list, and each is the pro behind a recent red carpet red lip that had us, well, reaching out for all their tips and tricks. 

Ahead, all the scoop on Kelsea Ballerini, Christie Brinkley, Janelle Monáe, Naomi Watts and Rachel Zegler’s recent red lips, plus every secret you need to score a similarly festive look at home.

The Star: Christie Brinkley.

The pro: Makeup artist Tim Quinn.

The inspo: When Christie showed me a clip that was opening the Hero Dog Awards show — a spoof of her iconic appearance in National Lampoon’s Vacation — she was driving the red Ferrari. Immediately, I looked through my arsenal of lip colors to create this dazzling holiday red.

The Iip: Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G in So Red. This is definitely a red you’ll get noticed wearing — it’s bold, brilliant and classic, and I think more than ever people appreciate the classics! It’s a joyful color that sparks a level of comfort, familiarity and nostalgia at the holidays.

The tips: My secret to wearing reds, or any bold shade, is to hydrate the lips well. I use Halo42 eye oil to do the trick. It instantly revitalizes lips, smoothing and adding shine, just as it does for the eye area. Apply it while using your complexion products. 

When you are ready to begin your lips, blot it off, then use a red lip liner to cover your lips, followed by a layer of lipstick. Blot, then add another layer of long-lasting lipstick for depth and longer wear.

The star: Naomi Watts.

The pro: Makeup artist Mary Wiles.

The inspo: Naomi’s gorgeous black Carolina Herrera dress. We wanted to add a flash of color and match the drama. 

The lip: Lisa Eldridge Velvet Ribbon True Velvet Lip Colour. It’s a classic, true red with a blue tone. It’s the perfect red lip for the holiday season because it’s bright and screams fun, fun, fun! 

The tips: Use a lip scrub to make sure there’s no dry skin on your lips. If there is, pigment will adhere and it will be hard to get a good finish. 

Then, moisturize well with a lip mask (Tatcha’sThe Kissu Lip Mask is a fave of mine) an hour before applying lipstick. 

Use a lip primer to help prevent feathering. 

Reach for a lipstick that’s matte or almost matte because it has the most dense pigment which will help it stay in place longer.

The star: Janelle Monáe.

The pro: Makeup artist Keita Moore.

The inspo: Janelle's red lip look was inspired by classic Hollywood glamor. Its depth and intensity made it a great choice for what we were going for — a touch of timeless elegance.

The lip: Maybelline New York Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick in Exhilarator. It’s a really beautiful red that has an almost jewellike tone. During the season, wearing a red lip is festive touch that adds joy to the holiday spirit. 

The tips: First, moisturize and prime the lips to create a smooth base. 

Then, line the lips with a lip liner in a shade that matches your lipstick. 

Next, apply your lipstick and wait for it to dry before you lightly blot with a thin tissue. 

Apply a little bit of setting powder or you can use red eyeshadow to set the color.

The star: Kelsea Ballerini.

The Pro: Makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan Fisher.

The inspo: For this red lip look, we wanted to give a nod to old Hollywood glamor, but add a little twist with the pop of pink in the center. Both colors were inspired by her dress; the classic red came from the silhouette and the pink from the beautiful shade.

The lip: CoverGirl Exhibitionist Crème Lipstick in 305 Hot. It’s a brilliant red that pairs beautifully with pink. We love to use this lipstick because it’s super-moisturizing and lasts all night. 

For the pink in the center, we wanted a shade that complimented the red lip and the pink of the dress, but would be a bold pop of color. CoverGirl Exhibitionist Ultra Matte Lipstick in 665 Wink Wink was the perfect choice not only because of the shade, but it’s transfer-proof, lightweight, and won’t crack or crease.

I think any pop of color, especially a red, is a fun and festive way to celebrate this time of year. It always reminds me of holiday lights and the sparkle of the season.

The tips: Matte lip colors will always last longer than a satin or glossy finish. Oftentimes I will apply one layer of lipstick then brush some translucent powder on top, then another layer. The powder absorbs any excess oils and acts as a grip for the topcoat.

The star: Rachel Zegler.

The pro: Makeup artist Valeria Ferreira.

The inspo: The decadence of her gown and the rose petals on the bottom of the dress. It made me think of the velvet feel rose petals have.

The lip: I mixed this lip formula myself and added powder over it to intensify the matte finish. Rouge Dior Forever Liquid in Forever Shock was the main component of my mixture. This shade is a Malbec red tone— rich, full-bodied and extravagant. 

Skin gets lighter in winter, and the sun sets earlier, we need more color and contrast to counteract all these factors. This red lip  ticks all the boxes and will most definitely make a statement.

The tips: Exfoliate your lips to get rid of dryness before application.

Don’t use a lip balm before applying this type of lipstick as it will alter the matte finish.

Apply a little product to the edges of the mouth then press lips together to create a guideline for you to follow. 

Fill in lips little by little and always leaving the center of the mouth slightly lighter.

Powdering the lip and reapplying will create layers of pigment and this will give you that 24-hour wear we all desire.

Always carry a metallic straw in your handbag! This will help to keep the rim of your lipstick intact.